Using The MLE To Sign A Player For The 3

Grange suggested the Raptors will take a big man at 13 and it makes sense given the depth there in this class and the fact that Bosh may (likely) be gone. Beyond that, they're looking to move Hedo. Now unless they're willing to take on Gil they're probably going to be left with the option of taking a role player with an inflated contract. That player is probably going to be a bench player and so let's assume that's the way they go for this thread. If that's the case then we would be looking at Bargnani starting at center or power forward, along with the draft pick or maybe Johnson filling the other starting role in the paint with DeRozan at SG and one of Calderon or Jack manning the point. As much as I like Weems I think he's best suited for the bench in a sixth man role. All that said, they're going to need to bring in somebody to start at the 3. If you head on over to my thread titled "FA Power Rankings" you'll see a large group of potential candidates who may be able to start at the 3 and who may cost anywhere from a portion of the MLE to all of the MLE. There are also some guys who could be had for the BAE. I will list some of these players now and I'd like us to discuss how they would fit in Toronto. Also feel free to answer the poll at the top:

Whoever voted Mike Miller, I certainly hope you're not offering the full MLE.

We need someone who can play defense. Unfortunately, there aren't many on the list. Matt Barnes is moody and inconsistent, Ray Allen ain't coming to Toronto and is on his last legs anyway, and offering Josh Childress the full MLE would result in it being matched by the Atlanta Hawks. So what does that leave us with? Is Travis Outlaw any good at defense?

But in all seriousness,I think the 2 best realistic options are Al Harrington and Travis Outlaw. I also like Ray Allen and Ronnie Brewer, but don't think they'd be interested in playing in Toronto (Allen would probably pick another contender if he doesn't return to Boston and don't think the Jazz are going to let go of Brewer).

I like Travis Outlaw's game when he played for Portland. A solid contributor who did a lot of the little things. And he's pretty young (25 years), so I think if we're not going an all-star caliber route for the 3 spot, then he would be a decent addition. He has a long wingspan and his defense I think is a little above average so he'd be my 1st choice, considering that our defense needs more help than our offense.

Harrington would also be a decent pick up, but he's 30 and he's a streaky shooter. However, he has had games in the past where he's scored a lot. I don't know about his defense though, so maybe someone else here can point out how his defense is. Don't know whether he'd want to play for Toronto and if he gets more money than the MLE elsewhere, then that's where he's going.

The rest are okay, but no one I would put in the starting line-up to replace Weems. I would rather him start and use the other as the back-up.

He's a pretty good post defender due to his size, but his perimeter defence is questionable. The thing with him is he's a tough SOB and an excellent rebounder for his position, so I'd be more than willing to take a chance on him.

But in all seriousness,I think the 2 best realistic options are Al Harrington and Travis Outlaw. I also like Ray Allen and Ronnie Brewer, but don't think they'd be interested in playing in Toronto (Allen would probably pick another contender if he doesn't return to Boston and don't think the Jazz are going to let go of Brewer).

Just curious why you don't think Brewer would be interested in playing in Toronto. Did he say something? I find it odd seeing how he grew up in Portland, Oregon. Pretty close to the B.C. border.

Edit: He's under contract with Memphis too by the way. He only played 5 games all season so it's easy to have forgotten he moved there.

I think Outlaw is easily the best fit of the bench for the Raptors. Most of the players are either too old to really warrant a young team like the Raptors spending money on, aren't good enough defensively, are too brittle or are restricted free agents whose team could simply match. I think Outlaw's stock went down because of a bad year, which is actually a perfect time to sign him. He's a good scorer, shooter, rebounder and defender. And he's only 25.

Um, the Jazz "let go" of Brewer a while back. He's on the Grizzlies now.

...my mistake, I guess that pretty much sums up how much I follow Brewer.

As for Brewer not playing for Toronto, I think someone mentioned earlier that he's a RFA and so he might be harder to get for a feasible price. And if he's playing for Memphis and they might lose Rudy Gay through free agency, then I think they'd make sure they keep brewer (IF Gay leaves).

I guess I worded my earlier post incorrectly in suggesting that HE wouldn't be interested in playing in Toronto. It's more so that I see it as less realistic than Outlaw and Harrington.

You don't think Howard can bounce back to be a solid contributor? He's long and athletic which couldn't hurt. And although he only played like 1 or 2 games for Washington and then got injured, it seemed like the change in scenery got him going. No doubt he has some issues, but he has gotten older and generally speaking, that brings maturity. I haven't heard of any recent issues on/off court with him, but I could have missed something.

Apollo wrote:

Mike Miller rebounds really well, something they need at the 3. He can hit shots from anywhere. He rebounds the ball really well. He's a smart player. They could do a lot worse than him.

Mike Miller is interesting, but he is 30 years old. No doubt a smart player, but I think that's more on the offensive end. Don't think his defense is outstanding and doesn't seem that athletic. And if I have a chance to get Outlaw, I'd go for him first. Maybe a good option if Outlaw doesn't work out.
I think he's a better offensive player than Outlaw, but based on team needs, I think defense should be a priority at this spot. That's IF Bosh stays because him and Bargnani need their shots (I am certain Turk is not a Raptor next season so no "ball" requirements there). If Bosh leaves, then we need some offensive power to fill the void, so Miller MIGHT be a better option then. But then there's Al Harrington on that list as well (same age as Miller), who's a pretty decent offensive player. So I'd pick him over Miller.

You don't think Howard can bounce back to be a solid contributor? He's long and athletic which couldn't hurt. And although he only played like 1 or 2 games for Washington and then got injured, it seemed like the change in scenery got him going. No doubt he has some issues, but he has gotten older and generally speaking, that brings maturity. I haven't heard of any recent issues on/off court with him, but I could have missed something.

I think there's a chance he can bounce back physically, but there were problems he before he got hurt. I think he's far too much of a question mark at this point. There are a lot of other players who I'd rather give the MLE to than Howard. Hell, there are a lot of player's i'd rather give a roster spot to than Howard

bodmon wrote:

Mike Miller is interesting, but he is 30 years old. No doubt a smart player, but I think that's more on the offensive end. Don't think his defense is outstanding and doesn't seem that athletic. And if I have a chance to get Outlaw, I'd go for him first. Maybe a good option if Outlaw doesn't work out.
I think he's a better offensive player than Outlaw, but based on team needs, I think defense should be a priority at this spot. That's IF Bosh stays because him and Bargnani need their shots (I am certain Turk is not a Raptor next season so no "ball" requirements there). If Bosh leaves, then we need some offensive power to fill the void, so Miller MIGHT be a better option then. But then there's Al Harrington on that list as well (same age as Miller), who's a pretty decent offensive player. So I'd pick him over Miller.

A young Miller would have been great, but age and injuries have slowed him down. He used to be a good defensive player, but I don't know how good he is now.